A CALCIFIED JADE APPLIQUE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST

Details

A CALCIFIED JADE APPLIQUE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST
TANG DYNASTY

The flat plaque carved in low relief with the profile of a seated leonine animal, its rounded body with muscular chest and haunches supported on lean legs with clawed feet, finely incised with details delineating the eyes, mouth, curled mane and bushy tail, the pale yellowish-brown stone with extensive areas of chalky, grayish-white calcification--2 1/8in. (5.4cm.) long

Lot Essay

Similar lion-like animals are found in silver dating from the Tang period, see for example the cut silver sheet ornaments of animals in the Cleveland Museum of Art, illustrated by Kelley, Chinese Gold and Silver, Catalogue, no. 59